Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 710

Chapter 710 160.1 - Resting is important

The rhythmic chugging of the train filled the cabin, a steady reminder that this time, their journey was far from luxurious. Irina adjusted herself in her seat, her hazel eyes narrowing slightly as the faint creaks of the older train car reached her ears. The polished elegance of the high-class trains they'd taken before was absent here-no mana-infused amenities, no seamless enchantments. Instead, the cabin was

utilitarian, with modest wooden panels and windows that rattled faintly with cach bump in the track.

Irina crossed her arms with a soft huff, her gaze darting toward Astron, who sat across from her with his usual unbothered demeanor. His sharp gray eyes were fixed on the passing scenery, his expression as unreadable as ever. He seemed entirely at case as if the simplicity of this train suited him more than the previous luxury.

Irina leaned back in her seat with a quiet sigh, her gaze flicking to the window as the scenery blurred past. Her hazel eyes traced the rolling hills and the faint outlines of distant mountains, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

Why are we even stuck on this train? she grumbled inwardly, shifting in her seat. I spent so much time planning every detail of this trip, and now, this? A rickety old train that looks like it hasn't been updated in decades? She bit her lip, feeling a flicker of frustration.

Of course, she knew exactly why they were here. Stellamare City wasn't exactly a hub of luxury transportation. For some inexplicable reason, the usual high-class trains weren't available for the time being, leaving her with no choice but to settle for this. The Stellamare Museum... Her expression softened slightly at the thought. It was a place she'd been wanting to visit for a long while. Both Julia and Lilia had sung its praises, describing it as a treasure trove of ancient artifacts, mana relics, and interactive exhibits that could bring even the driest history lessons to life. And it's not like I've had the chance before, she reminded herself. The museum was far to the west, tucked away in a region she rarely had reason to visit.

But now, with Astron accompanying her, the opportunity had finally presented itself. She'd worked hard to include this stop in their itinerary, weaving it into the flow of their journey as seamlessly as possible. She'd even gone out of her way to ensure their other accommodations were impeccable-just to balance out this train ride.

Still, as much as she was looking forward to their destination, the journey itself was proving to be a challenge. The creaking of the wooden panels, the faint draft seeping through the cracks in the windows, the lack of any enchantments to smooth the ride... It was all so different from the polished, seamless elegance of the high-class trains she was used to.

Irina sighed again, crossing her arms as she glanced at Astron. He sat perfectly still, his sharp gray eyes scanning the passing landscape as if he were taking mental notes. He didn't seem bothered in the slightest by the train's lack of luxury. If anything, he seemed more at home here than he had in the expensive carriages of the Arcane Stream Express.

Of course, he doesn't care, she thought with a small pout. He's not the one who spent hours planning this trip down to the last detail. He probably prefers this kind of simplicity anyway. Ugh, I should've known.

Considering that guy's way of doing things, this much was evident.

She leaned her head against the window, the rhythmic chugging of the train lulling her into a thoughtful silence. Her hazel eyes lingered on the blurred landscape as a memory stirred in her mind-one she hadn't thought of in a while. It had been months ago, during her return from a one-week break. The train she'd booked had been a luxury model, of course, with a private car tailored to her comfort. But midway through the journey, a malfunction had derailed her plans, forcing her into one of the standard cars.

She chuckled softly to herself. And that's where I met him.

Astron had been sitting in one of the corner seats, calm and unbothered, much like he was now. She remembered how his sharp purple eyes had glanced at her without a hint of surprise when she stormed into the train, fuming at her change in circumstances. At the time, she'd been so irritated she hadn't even bothered to notice the quiet aura of focus he carried.

I was so caught up in my own complaints, she thought with a wry smile. And there he was, completely unfazed as if trains like that were just a normal part of his life.

She glanced at him now, still the picture of composure, his gaze fixed on the window as if the passing scenery held secrets only he could see. For some reason, the memory made her smile. Without looking away from him, she decided to break the silence. "Do you use these types of trains often?" she asked, her voice light and curious. Astron turned his head toward her, his sharp gray eyes meeting hers. For a moment, he studied her, as if deciding whether her question warranted an answer. Then, with a small nod, he replied, "If I can't use teleportation gates, yes. Trains are reliable."

"Reliable?" Irina repeated, raising an eyebrow. "You're really okay with all this?" She gestured around them, her tone holding a hint of teasing. "The creaky wood, the rattling windows, the complete lack of amenities?"

Astron tilted his head slightly, his expression as calm as ever. "It gets me where I need to go. That's what matters."

Irina leaned back with a soft sigh, her arms crossing as she regarded him. "You're so practical sometimes it's almost boring"

"Boring or efficient?" Astron countered, his tone deceptively mild.

Irina smirked, shaking her head. "Efficient, maybe. But it is about the journey, the journey! Just how many times do I need to repeat!"

Astron raised his hand in mock defeat, the faintest trace of amusement flickering in his sharp gray eyes. "Journey, journey, I get it," he said dryly, his tone perfectly calm despite her dramatic emphasis.

Irina narrowed her eyes at him, her arms still crossed as she waited for more.

"But," he continued, his voice taking on a more thoughtful edge, "we're hunters, Irina. It's important to get used to situations like this-where you can't prioritize comfort." He gestured faintly around them, the subtle movement encompassing the creaky wooden panels and rattling windows of the train.

"I know that too," Irina replied with a huff, shifting in her seat to face him more directly. "But it's also important to enjoy life when you can. Don't tell me you think it's fine to just grind through everything without stopping to appreciate what's around

you."

"To enjoy life, you need to ensure safety first," Astron said, his tone calm but firm. "And this," he gestured again to their surroundings, "contributes to that safety. If you can't adapt to discomfort, you're leaving yourself vulnerable."

"Humph!" Irina crossed her legs, leaning back with a defiant smirk. "You're just using sophistry to cover up your lack of aesthetic!"

Astron's lips twitched, the barest hint of a smile threatening to break through his composed demeanor. "And you're using aesthetics to avoid acknowledging